Method of screening for cancer by detecting messenger RNA for a MAGE-XP gene

ABSTRACT

The invention involves assaying for possible presence of certain cancers, by screening a sample for a member of the MAGE-Xp family of genes. These cancers include testicular seminoma, non-small call lung carcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, sarcoma, and leukemia.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 08/403,388, filed Mar. 14, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,289 and incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule which codes for a tumor rejection antigen precursor. More particularly, the invention concerns genes, whose tumor rejection antigen precursor is processed, inter alia, into at least one tumor rejection antigen. The tumor rejection antigen precursors in question do not appear to be closely related to other known tumor rejection antigen precursor coding sequences, and were isolated from the Xp region of human X chromosomes, in contrast to the genes to which they are most closely related, which were found on the Xq region.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

The process by which the mammalian immune system recognizes and reacts to foreign or alien materials is a complex one. An important facet of the system is the T lymphocyte, or "T cell" response. This response requires that T cells recognize and interact with complexes of cell surface molecules, referred to as human leukocyte antigens ("HLA"), or major histocompatibility complexes ("MHCs"), and peptides. The peptides are derived from larger molecules which are processed by the cells which also present the HLA/MHC molecule. See in this regard Male et al., Advanced Immunology (J. P. Lipincott Company, 1987), especially chapters 6-10. The interaction of T cells and HLA/peptide complexes is restricted, requiring a T cell specific for a particular combination of an HLA molecule and a peptide. If a specific T cell is not present, there is no T cell response even if its partner complex is present. Similarly, there is no response if the specific complex is absent, but the T cell is present. This mechanism is involved in the immune system's response to foreign materials, in autoimmune pathologies, and in responses to cellular abnormalities. Much work has focused on the mechanisms by which proteins are processed into the HLA binding peptides. See, in this regard, Barinaga, Science 257: 880 (1992); Fremont et al., Science 257: 919 (1992); Matsumura et al., Science 257: 927 (1992); Latron et al., Science 257: 964 (1992).

The mechanism by which T cells recognize cellular abnormalities has also been implicated in cancer. For example, in PCT application PCT/US92/04354, filed May 22, 1992, published on Nov. 26, 1992, and incorporated by reference, a family of genes is disclosed, which are processed into peptides which, in turn, are expressed on cell surfaces, which can lead to lysis of the tumor cells by specific CTLs cytolytic T lymphocytes, or "CTLs" hereafter. The genes are said to code for "tumor rejection antigen precursors" or "TRAP" molecules, and the peptides derived therefrom are referred to as "tumor rejection antigens" or "TRAs". See Traversari et al., Immunogenetics 35: 145 (1992); van der Bruggen et al., Science 254: 1643 (1991), for further information on this family of genes. Also, see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 807,043, filed Dec. 12, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,774, incorporated by reference in its entirety. The "MAGE" family of tumor rejection antigen precursors is disclosed in this patent.

In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 938,334, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,940, Apr. 15, 1995, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, it is explained that the MAGE-1 gene codes for a tumor rejection antigen precursor which is processed to nonapeptides which are presented by the HLA-A1 molecule. The nonapeptides which bind to HLA-A1 follow a "rule" for binding in that a motif is satisfied. In this regard, see e.g. PCT/US93/07421; Falk et al., Nature 351: 290-296 (1991); Engelhard, Ann Rev. Immunol. 12: 181-207 (1994); Ruppert et al., Cell 74: 929-937 (1993); Rotzschke et al., Nature 348: 252-254 (1990); Bjorkman et al., Nature 329: 512-518 (1987); Traversari et al., J. Exp. Med. 176: 1453-1457 (1992). The references teach that given the known specificity of particular peptides for particular HLA molecules, one should expect a particular peptide to bind to one HLA molecule, but not to others. This is important, because different individuals possess different HLA phenotypes. As a result, while identification of a particular peptide as being a partner for a specific HLA molecule has diagnostic and therapeutic ramifications, these are only relevant for individuals with that particular HLA phenotype. There is a need for further work in the area, because cellular abnormalities are not restricted to one particular HLA phenotype, and targeted therapy requires some knowledge of the phenotype of the abnormal cells at issue. In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 008,446, filed Jan. 22, 1993 and incorporated by reference, the fact that the MAGE-1 expression product is processed to a second TRA is disclosed. This second TRA is presented by HLA-Cw*1601 molecules. The disclosure shows that a given TRAP can yield a plurality of TRAs, each of which will satisfy a motif rule for binding to an MHC molecule.

In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 994,928, filed Dec. 22, 1992, and incorporated by reference herein teaches that tyrosinase, a molecule which is produced by some normal cells (e.g., melanocytes), is processed in tumor cells to yield peptides presented by HLA-A2 molecules.

In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/032,978, filed Mar. 18, 1993, and incorporated by reference in its entirety, a second TRA, not derived from tyrosinase is taught to be presented by HLA-A2 molecules. The TRA is derived from a TRAP, but is coded for by a non-MAGE gene. This disclosure shows that a particular HLA molecule may present TRAs derived from different sources.

In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/079,110, filed Jun. 17, 1993 and incorporated by reference herein, an unrelated tumor rejection antigen precursor, the so-called "BAGE" precursor is described. The BAGE precursor is not related to the MAGE family.

In U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 08/096,039 and Ser. No. 08/250,162, both of which are incorporated by reference, non-related TRAP precursor GAGE is also disclosed.

The work which is presented by the papers, patent, and patent applications cited supra deal, in large part, with the MAGE family of genes, and the unrelated BAGE, GAGE and DAGE genes, showing that there are different, additional tumor rejection antigen precursors expressed by cells.

It has now been found that there is yet another family of tumor rejection antigen precursor genes. These nucleic acid molecules show homology to the MAGE family of genes, but this homology is insufficient to identify the members of the Xp family by hybridization with the present members of the MAGE family, as set forth in, e.g., PCT Application PCT/US92/04354 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,774, under the conditions of stringency set forth therein. Further, the isolated nucleic acid molecules of the invention were all found on the Xp arm of the X chromosome, as contrasted to the previously identified members of the MAGE family, all of which were found on the Xq arm. Thus, the invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode for MAGE-Xp tumor rejection antigen precursors and the uses thereof.

The invention is explained in further detail in the disclosure which follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Example 1

The cosmids D5 and 4965 have been described by Muscatelli, et al., Nature 372: 672-676 (1994), as well as in Muscatelli, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92: 4987-4991 (1995) the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference. These cosmids contain portions of the Xp arm of the X-chromosome. The cosmids were digested, using restriction endonucleases EcoRI, BamHI, Hind III, and PstI. Once digested, the DNA was transferred, to a nylon membrane, following agarose electrophoretic migration in an agarose gel.

Following this, a probe, based upon SEQ ID NO: 1, i.e., the sequence for Xp1, was used in hybridization experiments. The probe was approximately 0.45 kilobases in length, and contains 41 base pairs of the first exon (73 base pairs total), the complete second exon, and 299 base pairs of the third (1603 base pairs total) . The sequence for what is referred to herein as "Xp1" and is referred to elsewhere as "Xp" may be found in Muscatelli, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA supra. Further the sequence is found in the EMBL sequence data bank reference to accession number emb X82539, available no later than Feb. 7, 1995.

In order to prepare the 0.4 kb probe, the following primers, i.e., SEQ ID NO: 11 and SEQ ID NO: 12 were used, in PCR, on Xp1 cDNA:

    5'-GTGGTGTCCAGCAGTGTCTC-3'

    5'-GTCAGATTGCCTACATGACACAG-3

Specifically, the DNA was denatured with NaOH and neutralized in the gel before transfer to a nylon membrane using 20×SSC (SSC=0.15M NaCl, 0.015M sodium citrate, pH 7). Following transfer, the membranes were rinsed for 5 minutes in 6×SSC at room temperature, baked for one hour at 80° C., and pretreated for 4 hours in 6×SSC, 10+Denhardt's solution (0.02% Ficoll, 0.02% polyvinylpyrrolidone, 0.02% BSA), at 65° C.

The membrane was then hybridized in 3.5×SSC, 1×Denhardt's Solution, 25 mm sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 0.5% SDS, 2 mM EDTA and 3×10⁶ cpm/ml α ³² P-CTP radiolabelled probe. Hybridization was performed for 18 hours at 65° C. The membrane was then washed at 65° C., four times, for one hour each time in 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS, 1×Denhardt's solution; once for 30 minutes at 0.2×SSC, 0.1% SDS; and once for 30 minutes in 0.1×SSC, 0.1% SDS. The membranes were autoradiographed using Kodak X-ARS film, and Kodak X-Omatic fine intensifying screens.

Following the hybridization, several signals of differing intensity were observed. Of these, three EcoRI fragments from cosmid 4965, which were 1.5, 2.2, and 2.5 kilobases in length were isolated, and cloned into vector pTZ19R for sequencing. Partial sequencing showed that each fragment contained a sequence homologous to the third exon of Xp1 . Homology of the three sequences, relative to Xp1, was 75%, 60%, and 80%, for genes referred to hereafter as MAGE-Xp2, MAGE-Xp3, and MAGE-Xp4. These are presented in SEQ ID NOS: 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

The foregoing disclosure, places many tools of extreme value in the hands of the skilled artisan. To begin, the examples identify isolated nucleic acid molecules which code for MAGE-Xp tumor rejection antigen precursors as well as the nucleic acid molecules complementary thereto. It is known that DNA exists in double stranded form, and that each of the two strands is complementary to the other. Nucleic acid hybridization technology has developed to the point where, given a strand of DNA, the skilled artisan can isolate its complement, or synthesize it. The invention includes, inter alia, the phenomenon of double strandedness to permit the artisan to identify the X chromosome, especially the Xp element, as well as defects in the chromosome.

Such assays can be carried out by one of ordinary skill in the art, using standard methodologies. For example, using the well known polymerase chain reaction (PCR), one uses the following primers:

For identifying Xp2:

    5'-TAAAAAAGGTGCCAAGAGCCAC-3'                               (SEQ ID NO: 5);

    5'-TGAGGCCCTCAGAGGCTTTC-3'                                 (SEQ ID NO: 6).

For identifying Xp3:

    5'-AGTCTGCTGGTAGGTCACGTA-3'                                (SEQ ID NO: 7);

    5'-TCAGGAACTGCACCAACATATTT-3'                              (SEQ ID NO: 8).

For identifying Xp4:

    5'-AGGGATACTGCCTCCAGCTC-3'                                 (SEQ ID NO: 9);

    5'-CAGGAACTGCACTAACATCTTC-3'                               (SEQ ID NO: 10).

Example 2, which follows, shows one way this can be done.

Example 2

The primers of SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6 were used, for example, to determine whether or not MAGE-Xp2 was expressed in tumors.

Total cellular RNA was extracted from tumor cell samples, using the well known guanidine-isothiocyanate/cesium chloride methodology, (see, e.g., Davis et al., Basic Methods in Molecular Elsevier, N.Y. (1986), pp. 130-135, which is not repeated here. Next, cDNA was synthesized, using 2 ug total RNA from the samples. Synthesis was carried out by extension with oligo dT(15), in a 20 μl reaction volume, in accordance with DeSmet et al, Immunogenetics 39: 121-129 (1994), incorporated by reference. After incubation for one hour at 42° C., the cDNA reaction mixture was diluted with water to 100 μl. PCR was then carried out using SEQ ID NOS: 5 and 6. Each PCR reaction was carried out, using 5 μl of cDNA (which corresponds to 100 ng of RNA), supplemented with 5 μl of 10×PCR buffer, and 1 μl of each variety of dNTP (10 mM), 0.5 μl each of 80μ M solutions of primers, 1.25 units of AmpliTaq DNA polymerase and water, to a total volume of 50 μl. This mixture was then heated to 94° C. for five minutes, followed by amplification in a thermal cycler for 30 cycles (one minute at 94° C., two minutes at 63° C., two minutes at 72° C.). Cycling was then concluded with a final extension step (15 minutes, 72° C.). A 10 μl sample of each reaction was run on 1% agarose gel, and visualized using ethidium bromide fluorescence.

RNA integrity was verified, and samples containing strongly degraded RNA excluded, by carrying out a 20 cycle PCR assay, using primers specific for β-actin, in accordance with Weynants et al, Int. J. Cancer 56: 826-829 (1994) incorporated by reference.

The results for tumors follow. The first column is the number of tumor samples tested, the second is the number which were positive for MAGE-Xp2:

    ______________________________________                                         Testicular seminoma     6    5                                                 Non-small cell lung carcinoma                                                                         20    6                                                 Melanoma               26    5                                                 Breast                 10    2                                                 Sarcoma                10    1                                                 Leukemia               10    1                                                 ______________________________________                                    

With the exception of the positive leukemia, any tumor sample which was positive for MAGE-Xp2 was also positive for at least one MAGE-Xq.

Expression of MAGE-Xp2 was found in fetal and adult testis, but was not found in any normal kidney, liver, adrenal gland, skin, breast, brain, heart, ovary, prostate, cerebellum, peripheral blood lymphocyte, colon, stomach, lung, bladder, bone marrow or endometrium cells.

"Nucleic acid molecule" as used herein refers to all species of DNA and RNA which possess the properties discussed supra. Genomic and complementary DNA, or "cDNA" both code for particular proteins, and as the examples directed to isolation of MAGE coding sequences show, this disclosure teaches the artisan how to secure both of these.

All isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode MAGE-Xp proteins, with the exception of MAGE-Xp1, are encompassed by this invention. This includes those nucleic acid molecules which hybridize to any of MAGE-Xp2, MAGE-Xp3, or MAGE-Xp4 under stringent conditions. As used herein, this refers to conditions such as hybridization with 5×10⁶ cpm/ml for 18 hours at 65° C., followed by 4, 20 minute washes at 65° C., with each wash using 2×SSC, 0.5% SDS and 1×Denhardt's solution, followed by two washes at 0.2×SSC, 1% SDS (20 minutes, each wash), and, finally, two washes at 68° C., 1% SDS, a varying concentration of SSC, each of these washes being for 20 minutes. The final concentration of SSC should be no greater than 0.5×SSC, more preferably it is 0.2×SSC, and most preferably it is 0.1×SSC.

Similarly, RNA molecules, such as mRNA can be secured. Again, with reference to the skilled artisan, once one has a coding sequence in hand, mRNA can be isolated or synthesized.

Complementary sequences which do not code for TRAPs, such as "antisense DNA" or mRNA are useful, e.g., in probing for the coding sequence as well as in methodologies for blocking its expression.

It will also be clear that one may manufacture biologically pure cultures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell lines which have been transformed or transfected with nucleic acid sequences which code for or express the MAGE-Xp molecules. Such cultures can be used as a source for tumor rejection antigens, e.g., or as therapeutics. This aspect of the invention is discussed infra.

Cells transfected with the MAGE-Xp coding sequences may also be transfected with other coding sequences. Examples of other coding sequences include cytokine genes, such as interleukins (e.g., IL-2 or IL-4), or major histocompatibility complex (MHC) or human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. Cytokine gene transfection is of value because expression of these is expected to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of the biologically pure culture of the cells in vivo. The art is well aware of therapies where interleukin transfectants have been administered to subjects for treating cancerous conditions. In a particularly preferred embodiment, cells are transfected with sequence coding for each of (i) MAGE-Xp molecule, (ii) an HLA/MHC molecule, and (iii) a cytokine.

Transfection with an MHC/HLA coding sequence is desirable because certain of the TRAs derived from MAGE-Xp may be preferentially or especially presented only by particular MHC/HLA molecules. Thus, where a recipient cell already expresses the MHC/HLA molecule associated with presentation of a TRA, additional transfection may not be necessary although further transformation could be used to cause overexpression of the antigen. On the other hand, it may be desirable to transfect with a second sequence when the recipient cell does not normally express the relevant MHC/HLA molecule. It is to be understood, of course, that transfection with one additional sequence does not preclude further transfection with other sequences.

The term "biologically pure" as used in connection with the cell line described herein simply means that these are essentially free of other cells. Strictly speaking, a "cell line" by definition is "biologically pure", but the recitation will establish this fully.

Transfection of cells requires that an appropriate vector be used. Thus, the invention encompasses expression vectors where a coding sequence for the MAGE-Xp TRAP of interest is operably linked to a promoter. The promoter may be a strong promoter, such as those well known to the art, or a differential promoter, i.e., one which is operative only in specific cell types. The expression vectors may also contain all or a part of a viral or bacterial genome, such as vaccinia virus or BCG. Such vectors are especially useful in preparing vaccines.

The expression vectors may incorporate several coding sequences, as long as the MAGE-Xp sequence is contained therein. The cytokine and/or HLA genes discussed supra may be included in a single vector with the TRAP sequence. Where this is not desired, then an expression system may be provided, where two or more separate vectors are used where each coding sequence is operably linked to a promoter. Again, the promoter may be a strong or differential promoter. Co-transfection is a well known technique, and the artisan in this field is expected to have this technology available for utilization. The vectors may be constructed so that they code for the TRA molecule directly, rather than the MAGE-Xp TRAP. This eliminates the need for post-translational processing.

As the foregoing discussion makes clear, the sequences code for "tumor rejection antigen precursors" ("TRAPs") which, in turn, are processed into tumor rejection antigens ("TRAs") . Perhaps their most noteworthy aspect is as vaccines for treating various cancerous conditions. The evidence points to presentation of TRAs on tumor cells, followed by the development of an immune response and deletion of the cells. The evidence in the art shows that when various TRAs are administered to cells, a CTL response is mounted and presenting cells are deleted. This is behavior characteristic of vaccines, and hence TRAPs, which are processed into TRAs, and the TRAs themselves may be used, either alone or in pharmaceutically appropriate compositions, as vaccines. Similarly, presenting cells may be used in the same manner, either alone or as combined with ingredients or yield pharmaceutical compositions. Additional materials which may be used as vaccines include isolated cells which present the TRA molecule on their surface, as well as TRAP fragments, mutated viruses, especially etiolated forms, and transformed bacteria. "Fragments" as used herein refers to peptides which are smaller than the TRA, but which possess the properties required of a vaccine, as discussed supra. Another vaccine comprises or consists of complexes of TRA and HLA molecule. Vaccines of the type described herein may be used preventively, i.e., via administration to a subject in an amount sufficient to prevent onset of a cancerous condition.

The generation of an immune response, be it T-cell or B-cell related, is characteristic of the effect of the presented tumor rejection antigen. With respect to the B-cell response, this involves, inter alia, the generation of antibodies to the TRA, i.e., which specifically bind thereto. In addition, the TRAP molecules are of sufficient size to render them immunogenic, and antibodies which specifically bind thereto are a part of this invention. These antibodies may be polyclonal or monoclonal, the latter being prepared by any of the well recognized methodologies for their preparation which need not be repeated here. For example, mAbs may be prepared using an animal model, e.g., a Balb/C mouse or in a test tube, using, e.g., EBV transformants. In addition, antiserum may be isolated from a subject afflicted with a cancerous condition where certain cells present a TRA. Such antibodies may also be generated to epitope defined by the interaction of TRA and HLA/MHC molecules.

Review of the foregoing disclosure will show that there are a number of facets to the system which may be referred to as "tumor rejection antigen presentation and recognition". Recognition of these phenomena has diagnostic consequences. For example, the existence of specific CTL clones, or antibodies to the TRA makes it possible to diagnose or monitor cancerous conditions (explained infra), by monitoring the CTLs in a sample from a subject, binding of antibodies to TRAs, or the activity of anti-TRA CTLs in connection with subject samples. Similarly, the expression of nucleic acid molecules for TRAPs can be monitored via amplification (e.g., "polymerase chain reaction"), anti-sense hybridization, probe technologies, and so forth. Various subject samples, including body fluids (blood, serum, and other exudates, e.g.), tissues and tumors may be so assayed.

A particular manner of diagnosis is to use an adaptation of the standard "tuberculin test" currently used for diagnosis of tuberculosis. This standard skin test administers a stable form of "purified protein derivative" or "PPD" as a diagnostic aid. In a parallel fashion, TRAs in accordance with this invention may be used in such a skin test as a diagnostic aid or monitoring method.

The term "cancerous condition" is used herein to embrace all physiological events that commence with the initiation of the cancer and result in final clinical manifestation. Tumors do not spring up "ab initio" as visible tumors; rather there are various events associated with the transformation of a normal cell to malignancy, followed by development of a growth of biomass, such as a tumor, metastasis, etc. In addition, remission may be conceived of as part of "a cancerous condition" as tumors seldom spontaneously disappear. The diagnostic aspects of this invention include all events involved in carcinogenesis, from the first transformation to malignancy of a single cell, through tumor development and metastasis, as well as remission. All are embraced herein.

Where "subject" is used, the term embraces any species which can be afflicted with a cancerous condition. This includes humans and non-humans, such as domesticated animals, breeding stock, and so forth.

There are therapeutic aspects of this invention as well. The efficacy of administration of effective amounts of TRAPs and TRAs as vaccines have already been discussed supra. Similarly, one may develop the specific CTLs in vitro and then administer these to the subject. Antibodies may be administered, either polyclonal or monoclonal, which specifically bind to cells presenting the TRA of interest. These antibodies may be coupled to specific antitumor agents, including, but not being limited to, methotrexate radio-iodinated compounds, toxins such as ricin, other cytostatic or cytolytic drugs, and so forth. Thus, "targeted" antibody therapy is included herein, as is the application of deletion of the cancerous cells by the use of CTLs.

The terms and expression which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expression of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, it being recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention.

    __________________________________________________________________________     SEQUENCE LISTING                                                               (1) GENERAL INFORMATION:                                                       (iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 12                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 1:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 1866 base pairs                                                    (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 1:                                       GAGTGTTGCAACTGGGCCTGGCATGTTTCAGCGTGGTGTCCAGCAGTGTCTCCCACTCCT                   TGTGAAGTCTGAGGTTGCAAAAGGACTGTGATCATATGAAGATCATCCAGGAGTACAACT1                  CGAAATTCTCAGAAAACAGGACCTTGATGTGAGAGGAGCAGGTTCAGGTAAACAAAGGGC1                  GAGGACCCGAGCGAGCTTAAGGCCAGTGGGGTGCAGCGTCTGGTCAGCCGAGGGTGAATT2                  CTCAGGACTGGTCGGGAGTCAAGGTGCCACATCTCCTGCCTTTCTGCTCACTTTCCTGCC3                  TGTTTTGCCTGACCACAGCCATCATGCCTCGGGGTCAGAAGAGTAAGCTCCGTGCTCGTG3                  AGAAACGCCGCAAGGCGCGAGAGGAGACCCAGGGTCTCAAGGTTCGTCACGCCACTGCAG4                  CAGAGAAAGAGGAGTGCCCCTCCTCCTCTCCTGTTTTAGGGGATACTCCCACAAGCTCCC4                  CTGCTGCTGGCATTCCCCAGAAGCCTCAGGGAGCTCCACCCACCACCACTGCTGCTGCAG5                  CTGTGTCATGTACCGAATCTGACGAAGGTGCCAAATGCCAAGGTGAGGAAAATGCAAGTT6                  TCTCCCAGGCCACAACATCCACTGAGAGCTCAGTCAAAGATCCTGTAGCCTGGGAGGCAG6                  GAATGCTGATGCACTTCATTCTACGTAAGTATAAAATGAGAGAGCCCATTATGAAGGCAG7                  ATATGCTGAAGGTTGTTGATGAAAAGTACAAGGATCACTTCACTGAGATCCTCAATGGAG7                  CCTCTCGCCGCTTGGAGCTCGTCTTTGGCCTTGATTTGAAGGAAGACAACCCTAGTAGCC8                  ACACCTACACCCTCGTCAGTAAGCTAAACCTCACCAATGATGGAAACCTGAGCAATGATT9                  GGGACTTTCCCAGGAATGGGCTTCTGATGCCTCTCCTGGGTGTGATCTTCTTAAAGGGCA9                  ACTCTGCCACCGAGGAAGAGATCTGGAAATTCATGAATGTGTTGGGAGCCTATGATGGAG10                 AGGAGCACTTAATCTATGGGGAACCCCGTAAGTTCATCACCCAAGATCTGGTGCAGGAAA10                 AATATCTGAAGTACGAGCAGGTGCCCAACAGTGATCCCCCACGCTATCAATTCCTATGGG11                 GTCCGAGAGCCTATGCTGAAACCACCAAGATGAAAGTCCTCGAGTTTTTGGCCAAGATGA12                 ATGGTGCCACTCCCCGTGACTTCCCATCCCATTATGAAGAGGCTTTGAGAGATGAGGAAG12                 AGAGAGCCCAAGTCCGATCCAGTGTTAGAGCCAGGCGTCGCACTACTGCCACGACTTTTA13                 GAGCGCGTTCTAGAGCCCCATTCAGCAGGTCCTCCCACCCCATGTGAGAACTCAGGCAGA13                 TTGTTCACTTTGTTTTTGTGGCAAGATGCCAACCTTTTGAAGTAGTGAGCAGCCAAGATA14                 TGGCTAGAGAGATCATCATATATATCTCCTTTGTGTTCCTGTTAAACATTAGTATCTTTC15                 AAGTGTTTTTCTTTTAATAGAATGTTTATTTAGAGTTGGGATCTATGTCTATGAGCGACA15                 TGGATCACACATTTATTGGTGCTGCCAGCTTTAAGCATAAGAGTTTTGATATTCTATATT16                 TTTCAAATCCTTGAATCTTTTTTGGGTTGAAGAAGAAGAAAGCATAGCTTTAGAATAGAG16                 ATTTTCTCAGAAATGTGTGAAGAACCTCACACAACATAATTGGAGTCTTAAAATAGAGGA17                 AGAGTAAGCAAAGCATGTCAAGTTTTTGTTTTCTGCATTCAGTTTTGTTTTTGTAAAATC18                 CAAAGATACATACCTGGTTGTTTTTAGCCTTTTCAAGAATGCAGATAAAATAAATAGTAA18                 TAAATT18                                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 2:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 461 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 2:                                       GCTGCGGCTGCGGGTGTTTCATCCACAAAATCTAAAAAAGGTGCCAAGAGCCACCAAGGT6                  GAGAAAAATGCAAGTTCCTCCCAGGCCTCAACATCCACTAAGAGCCCAAGCGAAGATCCT12                 CTAACCAGGAAGTCAGGGTCGTTGGTGCAGTTCCTGTTGTACAAGTATAAAATAAAAAAG18                 TCCGTTACAAAGGGAGAAATGCTGAAAATTGTTGGCAAAAGGTTCAGGGAGCACTTCCCT24                 GAGATCCTCAAGAAAGCCTCTGAGGGCCTCAGTGTTGTCTTTGGCCTTGAGCTGAATAAA30                 GTCAACCCCAACGGCCACACTTACACCTTCATCGACAAGGTAGACCTCACTGATGAGGAA36                 TCCCTGCTCAGTTCCTGGGACTTTCCCAGGAGAAAGCTTCTGATGCCTCTCCTGGGTGTG42                 ATCTTCTTAAATGGCAACTCAGCTACTGAGGAAGAGATCTG46                                    (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 3:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 476 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 3:                                       ATCACTGCAACTAACAAGAAAAAAGTATCCTTTTCATCCCCTCTTATTTTGGGGGCTACT6                  ATCCAGAAAAAGTCTGCTGGTAGGTCACGTAGTGCTCTCAAGAAGCCTCAGAGAGCACTA12                 TCCACCACTACATCTGTAGATGTTTCTTACAAAAAGTCATACAAGGGAGCCAACAGCAAA18                 ATTGAGAAAAAGCAAAGCTTCTCTCAGGGTCTATCCTCCACTGTGCAGTCTCACACAGAC24                 CCTCTAACCATGAAGACAAATATGTTGGTGCAGTTCCTGATGGAAATGTACAAGATGAAA30                 AAGCCCATTATGAAAGCAGATATGCTAAAAATTGTCCAAAAAAGCCATAAGAATTGCTTC36                 CCTGAGATCCTTAAAAAAGCTTCTTTCAACATGGAGGTGGTGTTTGGTGTTGATTTAAAG42                 AAAGTTGATTCTACCAAGGACTCCTATGTCCTTGTCAGCAAAATGGATCTCCCCAA47                     (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 4:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 687 base pairs                                                     (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 4:                                       CATCACCTGCCCTTCTGCCTACACTCCTGCCTGCTGTGCCTAACCACAGCCATCATGCCT6                  CGGGGTCAGAAGAGTAAGCTCCGTGCCCGTGAGAAACGCCAGCGGACCCGTGGTCAGACC12                 CAGGATCTCAAGGTTGGTCAGCCTACTGCAGCAGAGAAAGAAGAGTCTCCTTCCTCTTCC18                 TCATCTGTTTTGAGGGATACTGCCTCCAGCTCCCTTGCTTTTGGCATTCCCCAGGAGCCT24                 CAGAGAGAGCCACCCACCACCTCTGCTGCTGCAGCTATGTCATGCACTGGATCTGATAAA30                 GGCGACGAGAGCCAAGATGAGGAAAATGCAAGTTCCTCCCAGGCCTCAACATCCACTGAG36                 AGATCACTCAAAGATTCTCTAACCAGGAAGACGAAGATGTTAGTGCAGTTCCTGCTGTAC42                 AAGTATAAAATGAAAGAGCCCACTACAAAGGCAGAAATGCTGAAGATCATCAGCAAAAAG48                 TACAAGGAGCACTTCCCTGAGATCTTCAGGAAAGTCTCTCAGCGCACGGAGCTGGTCTTT54                 GGCCTTGCCTTGAAGGAGGTCAACCCCACCACTCACTCCTACATCCTCGTCAGCATGCTA60                 GGCCCCAACGATGGAAACCAGAGCAGTGCCTGGACCCTTCCAAGGAATGGGCTTCTGATG66                 CCTCTACTGAGTGTGATCTTCTTAAAT68                                                  (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 5:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 5:                                       TAAAAAAGGTGCCAAGAGCCAC                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 6:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 6:                                       TGAGGCCCTCAGAGGCTTTC20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 7:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 7:                                       AGTCTGCTGGTAGGTCACGTA21                                                        (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 8:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 8:                                       TCAGGAACTGCACCAACATATTT23                                                      (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 9:                                              (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 9:                                       AGGGATACTGCCTCCAGCTC20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 10:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 22 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 10:                                      CAGGAACTGCACTAACATCTTC22                                                       (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 11:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 20 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 11:                                      GTGGTGTCCAGCAGTGTCTC20                                                         (2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO: 12:                                             (i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:                                                  (A) LENGTH: 23 base pairs                                                      (B) TYPE: nucleic acid                                                         (C) STRANDEDNESS: single                                                       (D) TOPOLOGY: linear                                                           (xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO: 12:                                      GTCAGATTGCCTACATGACACAG23                                                      __________________________________________________________________________ 

We claim:
 1. Method for screening for possibility of a, non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, sarcoma or leukemia in a nucleic acid-containing sample taken from a human, comprising contacting said sample with at least one nucleic acid molecule which hybridizes to mRNA or cDNA corresponding to an MAGE-Xp gene, and determining hybridization to said mRNA or cDNA as a determination of possible presence of non-small cell lung carcinoma, melanoma, breast cancer, sarcoma or leukemia in said sample.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said MAGE-Xp gene is MAGE-Xp2.
 3. The method of claim 2, comprising contacting said sample with (a) SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO: 6, (b) SEQ ID NO: 7 and SEQ ID NO: 8, or (c) SEQ ID NO: 9 and SEQ ID NO:
 10. 4. The method of claim 3, comprising contacting said sample with SEQ ID NO: 5 and SEQ ID NO:
 6. 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising carrying out a polymerase chain reaction following said hybridization.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein said polymerase chain reaction comprises contact with at least two nucleic acid primers. 